Savannah Gonzalez
Sketching a Sustainable Future: Savannah Gonzalez Journey from Marywood to the Field
Savannah Gonzalez ’24 found her home at Marywood University from the very first campus visit. “Everyone was so kind and understanding, and my whole family felt a connection to it, not just me,” she recalls. “The financial aid office was completely willing to help me figure out how my four years would look financially and how they could support me best.”
During her time at Marywood, Savannah embraced both academic and extracurricular opportunities. She was active in Women in Architecture, served as Vice President of the Transfer Student Association, and participated in IIDA. These experiences, coupled with her coursework and hands-on portfolio workshops, helped her feel confident as she stepped into the professional world. “My education prepared me for my career by showing me what to expect in the field,” she says. “I was also introduced to many architecture firms and did many portfolio workshops.”
Today, Savannah is an Architectural Project Designer with Sowinski Sullivan Architects, where she’s already achieving major career milestones. “My proudest professional accomplishment is getting my name on construction documents to be used in the field,” she says. “It credits me for drawing the content on the document!”
Savannah is especially passionate about sustainable design. “I’m lucky enough to work at a firm where bird-safe glass is constantly being used, and we work hard to use green products made in the U.S.,” she explains. “I’m currently working on my LEED certification so I can work on sustainable buildings.”
Reflecting on her college years, Savannah credits her parents as her biggest influence. “They continuously supported me through everything and always had my back,” she shares. “They brought me home or came to visit whenever I was homesick. They’ve always guided me, especially by leading me to Marywood.”
Savannah also sees her time at Marywood as a period of personal growth. “Marywood taught me a lot about myself that I didn’t know,” she says. “It taught me how to be independent, disciplined, and work hard.”
For current students, Savannah encourages stepping outside comfort zone. “Don’t be afraid to join extracurriculars! There are plenty of opportunities to make friends,” she advises. “Take advantage of everything you can—Marywood has so much to offer.”